In order to make our services as inclusive as possible we’ve made our Gay Project information leaflet available in 11 different languages. Thank you to Cork City Council Social Inclusion Office for supporting this initiative.

• Dutch
• English
• French
• German
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Spanish
• Ukranian
• Simplified Chinese
• Traditional Chinese

• According to LGBT Ireland “Coming Out is the term used by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to describe their experience of discovery, self-acceptance, openness and honesty about their LGBT identity and their decision to disclose, i.e. to share this with others when and how they choose. While coming out can be a challenging time, most people get a positive and supportive response from family and friends and feel happy that they made the decision to come out.”
• It is a misconception that Coming Out is an event that takes place once in an LGBT Person’s life. In fact, Coming Out is a process that LGBT people experience throughout their entire lives.
• While some people Come Out in their youth, many people choose not to Come Out until much later in life. There is no right or wrong time to Come Out in an LGBT Person’s life. The experience is different for everyone. Only you know when the time is right for you.
• For more information on Coming Out you can visit here.
• This Guide to Coming Out is a helpful and practical toolkit to help you throughout the process.
• If you’re just beginning the journey of Coming Out and you need to talk, you can dial the LGBT Helpline on 1800 929 539 from 18:30-22:00 Monday to Thursday, Friday 16:00 – 22:00 and Saturday & Sunday 16:00-18:00 for support. 
• There are also Peer Support Groups available for people who are just beginning the journey of Coming Out. To find out more you can email: peersupport@lgbt.ie or click here for more info.

Gay Project makes a valuable contribution to the issues facing LGBT+ people experiencing issues with drugs and alcohol through our advocacy on the Cork Local Drugs and Alcohol Taskforce. In addition, you’ll find a list of resources and support services in relation to Drugs and Alcohol below.

• Man2Man provide information and resources on Drugs and Alcohol Use for Men Who Have Sex with Men. To find out more, click here.
• There is an online Irish LGBT Alcoholics Anonymous Group called Live and Let Live. Click here for details.
• There is an LGBTI+ Recovery Group based in Dublin run by Merchants Quay Ireland and LGBT Ireland. Further details can be found here.
• Gay and Sober is an international organisation whose mission is to to provide a safe, fun, and enriching experience to the sober LGBTQ community. You can join their Irish facebook group here.
• On Thursdays you can dial the Gay Switchboard on 01 862 10 65 from 18:30 – 21:00 to discuss issues around Substance-Use, Chemsex, Narcotics and and more.
• For information about Chemsex click here.
  “Chemsex is a specific form of recreational drug use and involves using one or more of three drugs, in any combination, to facilitate or enhance sex, with or without other drugs.”

General Drug and Alcohol Supports:

• The Cork Local Drug and Alcohol Taskforce and the Southern Region Drug and Alcohol Taskforce provide information and a directory of services for those experiencing Drug and Alcohol issues in the Cork and Kerry region.
• For more information you can visit drugs.ie or contact the drugs helpline on 1800 459 459.

• Man2Man provide information and resources for Men Who Have Sex with Men to look after their mental health.
• You can dial the LGBT Helpline on 1890 929 539 from 18:30-22:00 Monday to Thursday, Friday 16:00 – 22:00 and Saturday/Sunday 16:00-18:00 for support. Alternatively you can visit https://lgbt.ie to instant message with a trained volunteer during the above times.
• On Saturdays you can dial the Gay Switchboard on 01 862 10 65 from 16:00 – 18:00 to talk to a trained volunteer around issues regarding mental health.
• To access Peer Support groups for a variety of issues click here.
• To access 6 free counselling sessions with LGBT Ireland and Turn2Me click here.
• The HSE has developed a guidebook for LGBT People to support you in looking after your mental health. Click here to read or download a copy.
• For information and support around Body Image and Eating Disorders click here.
• For more information on LGBT Mental Health supports visit here.

General Mental Health Supports:

• For information on Mental Health in general visit here.
• To text with a trained volunteer 24/7 you can text 50808.
• If you are in crisis remember to phone your GP or phone Samaritans on 116 123.

• If you are, or have been, married or in a long term opposite sex relationship and identify as gay, bisexual or feel attracted to other men you can dial the confidential helpline at the Gay Switchboard on 01 862 10 65 from 18:30 – 21:00 on a Wednesday to talk to a trained volunteer.
• To access a Peer Support group for Married Men to talk openly and confidentially with other men about similar experiences and to explore their sexual identity in a confidential, safe and supported environment you can email: mmg@theswitchboard.ie.
• You can dial the LGBT Helpline on 1890 929 539 from 18:30-22:00 Monday to Thursday, Friday 16:00 – 22:00 and Saturday/Sunday 16:00-18:00 for support. Alternatively you can visit https://lgbt.ie to instant message with a trained volunteer during these hours.
• If you are a Married Man currently seeking support around Coming Out visit our section on Coming Out above.
• If you are a Married Man who is currently sexually active with other men, visit our section on Sexual Health below. Visit the Sexual Health Centre and Man2Man for information about safe sex, sexual health, HIV and to access free condoms and lube.

• Older LGBT People from across Ireland can apply for a Telefriending Service which offers a once-per-week telephone call for friendship, security and support. To learn more about the Telefriending service click here.
• To join a facebook group for the Older & Bolder LGBT+ Population in Ireland click here.
• GOLD Café in the Gay Project is an opportunity for older men in the LGBTI+ community to meet, socialise and chat with other guys of a similar age.  

There are several ways to get involved with the Trans and Gender Non-Binary Communities in Cork, Kerry and Ireland.

• Gender Rebels is a volunteer group set up in late 2017 to support those around gender, gender expression and gender identity. “We believe in raising the visibility of our communities and working towards better health care and supports.” Find out more about Gender Rebels events and meetings here. For more info email info@genderrebelscork.com
• Cork Transgender Peer Support Group is a confidential support group for people with a diagnosis, or awaiting a diagnosis of Gender Identity Dysphoria. The group is a safe place to meet other Transgender People to share experiences, make new friends and avail of peer advice and support. The group is strictly for over 18s only. For more information and to arrange to attend please phone: 085 1935461.
• To contact the Transgender Family Support Line dial 01 907 3707 Sundays 18:00 – 21:00 and Tuesdays 10:00 – 12:00 noon.
• For more information visit Transgender Equality Network Ireland.
• To find more Peer Support Groups click here.

• UP Cork LGBT Youth Group provides one-to-one and group support to allow LGBTQ young people to safely engage with confidence building, personal development, peer support and making friends. It also affords young people a space where they can experience inclusion, acceptance, social justice, fun and safety. Email nadia.moussed@ywicork.com or call 086-0443745.
• Parents of LGB is a support group for parents of LGB children (of all ages). Email info@linc.ie for more information.
• Transformers Youth Group and Transparenci Parents Group in Cork are information and support groups for parents and family members of transgender young people and the young people themselves. Dial: 01 873 3575 or Email: transparencigroup@gmail.com.
• Contact the Gender Identity Family Support Line 01 907 3707.

• For information and to access support groups for people who identify as Crossdressing click here.
• For support around Crossdressing dial 01 872 1055 on Sundays from 16:00 – 18:00.
• For more information on Crossdressing in Ireland email Transgender Equality Network Ireland on office@teni.ie or visit https://teni.ie.

Gay Project delivers Sexual Health Services in 5 key ways:

1. We supply free condoms and lube from our community centre.
2. We frequently provide onsite Free Rapid HIV Testing in conjunction with the Sexual Health Centre.
3. We provide signposting and information services in relation to sexual health.
4. We run campaigns such as the #Covidlove campaign which ran during Covid19 to provide practical support in having safe sex throughout Covid19.
5. We advocate at various levels in relation to Sexual Health through our input on the Cork Sexual Health Network and the National Gay Health Network.

According to sexualwellbeing.ie “Good sexual health means making sure you have the knowledge, skills and ability to make informed sexual choices and acting responsibly to protect your health and the health of others. This includes preventing STIs. Some STIs can cause long-term problems, yet lots of people don’t know much about them.”

• Find more information about what makes good sexual health here.
• Find all the information you need about Sexually Transmitted Infections here.
• To receive condoms through postage visit the Sexual Health Centre’s website here.
• To book an appointment for Free Rapid HIV Testing click here.
• For a Sexual Health Helpline dial 021 427 6676. You can also email info@sexualhealthcentre.ie.
• To book an appointment for free STI Testing in Cork you can contact the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital in Cork on old Blackrock Road on 021 4966 844.
• To book an appointment for free STI Testing in Kerry contact Tralee General Hospital on 066 718 4139 or email: martina.osullivandarcy@hse.ie.
• To avail of Free At-Home Testing Kits you can visit https://sh24.ie.
• For information about HIV and your status as HIV Positive or Negative in addition to Treatment, Disclosure, Stigma and Transmission click here.
• Information about PrEP can be found here.
  PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. PrEP is taken by HIV negative people before having sex (pre-exposure) and after sex, to prevent HIV (this is called prophylaxis). PrEP has been shown in many studies to be safe and highly effective at preventing HIV. When taken correctly PrEP has been found to be about 99% effective. For more information about PrEP visit here.
• • For a list of PrEP Stockists click here.
  • Information about PEP can be found here.
    HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a course of HIV medication that aims to prevent HIV infection following a recent exposure to HIV, such as condomless sex, sharing needles or pricking yourself with an infected needle. PEP must be started within 72 hours (3 days and nights) after a possible exposure to HIV, and sooner if possible.